2 years

We can't believe it's been 2 years since we started Zucchero&Butter. I created the blog when I was senior in college and asked allison to join me. Sorry we haven't been posting on the blog the past few months. allison and I have full-time and part-time jobs so we're always busy working. But we promise to be better this year! Below are a few pictures of what we did this year. We did a lot of eating, cooking/baking, inventing ice creams, shopping at farmers markets, and traveling {to New York}.

click here: October 27,2012

bastille day

 eiffel tower cookies from toni patissiere

 french onion soup

steak + frites

a summer dinner

{pot roast on top of sweet potato pancakes with a peach+avocado salad}

I L-O-V-E peaches. They taste great in salads. All you need are fresh peaches and spinach. Just drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt+pepper.

the 23 layer chocolate cake

During Restaurant Week back in February, we got to eat at Michael Jordan's Steak House. We were not disappointed by the delicious food. The garlic bread was a-m-a-z-i-n-g! The waiter poured the blue cheese fondue over the bread in front of us. I can eat this bread everyday. Of course we chose steak as our entree. And for dessert...we chose the bread pudding and chocolate mousse. But we had to order the famous 23 layer chocolate cake too! It was a good night.

 garlic bread

 carpaccio

 filet mignon

 ribeye

 vanilla bourbon bread pudding w/ caramel cinnamon gelato

 chocolate mousse pyramid

23 chocolate layer cake

rpm birthday dinner

 lobster caprese 

{buffalo mozzarella, basil}

I knew months ago that I wanted to take ashley to an Italian restaurant for her birthday.  When I heard that RPM had a giant Ferrero Rocher-like dessert {Tartufo}, I immediately made reservations. {Ferrero Rocher is ashley's favortie.} The cuisine is small plate style.  We asked for our waiter's favorites on the menu and literately ordered everything Anthony suggested.  Look through our pictures to believe it! There were so many different flavors going in our mouth; it was quite an experience.  We would definitely go back! I'm just glad ashley enjoyed her birthday dinner.

 imported burrata

{golden beets, pistachio, honey}

 mediterranean octupus with chickpeas + celery

 prime beef meatballs

 polenta, poached egg with fresh black truffle + parmesan

 spicy king crab

{squid ink spaghetti}

 prosciutto pansotti with mascarpone + rosemary

 short rib pappardelle with bolognese + pecorino + rosemary

 roasted michigan apples with pistachio cake + vanilla

 tartufo

{hazelnut gelato + chocolate shell}

 it's a GIANT ferrero rocher!!!

I hinted to our waiter, Anthony,  it was ashley's birthday.  {pistachio + limoncello + chocolate gelato}

p.s. thank you allison {+ mom} for the amazing dinner! <3 ashley

socca

 pumpkin croissant bread pudding + vanilla bean ice cream

Two springs ago, we traveled across the beautiful French Riviera. Nice, France is known for socca, a crêpe made of chickpea flour and olive oil.  So last night we were excited to try Socca {Lakeview, Chicago}. Our Mediterranean-inspired meal was full of different flavors, we enjoyed every bite!

 pomme frites + black pepper &  truffled cheese fondue

 socca + lamb & chickpea ragout + roasted peppers + capers + goat cheese fondue 

 soppressata + cherry tomato + fontina + arugula caesar vinaigrette 

 homemade pappedella bolognese
{housemade classic bolognese + reggiano}

braised short ribs + parmesan polenta + brussels sprouts + pancetta

poutine

Poutine is a famous dish in Quebec. It's a dish consisting of French fries topped with cheese curds, and covered in gravy.  Le Gros Jambon is a small diner, hidden in the streets of Montreal. We were really excited with the menu, and had our first taste of poutine at Le Gros Jambon.. Everything tasted amazing. Can't wait to go back!

BDLT {bacon, duck, lettuce, & tomato}!!!

poutine!!!

lobster grilled cheese!!

coco-cola burger {coco-cola mayo, caramelized onions, deep fried pickles}!!!

nathan's {hot dog} mac & cheese!!!